GB2209300A

GB2209300A - A telescopic extension handle for use with a motor vehicle wheel nut spanner

Info

Publication number: GB2209300A
Application number: GB8714841A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey James Hawkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-06-24
Filing date: 1987-06-24
Publication date: 1989-05-10
Also published as: GB8714841D0

Abstract

A coaxial bar (14) is axially slidable with respect to a sleeve 12 from a retracted condition in which the bar is stowed predominantly within the sleeve to an extended and operative condition in which the bar is withdrawn predominantly from one end of the sleeve whereby a limb (L1) of a cranked spanner or wheel nut spider can be received in the sleeve. An opposite end of the sleeve is slotted (16, 18) for cooperation with another limb of the spanner so that said other limb (L3, L4) can be rotated about an axis normal to the sleeve upon rotation of the sleeve about the axis of the other limb. <IMAGE>

Description

TELESCOPIC EXTENSION HANDLE FOR WHEEL-NUT SPIDERS This invention relates to a telescopic extension handle for cranked wheel-nut spanners i.e. wheel braces and particularly for wheel-nut spiders.

GB-A-2 040 770 discloses a foot operated vehicle wheel nut spanner of selectively variable length to allow use to a prescribed tightening torque by persons of differing body weights. However, this arrangement cannot be put into a readily stowable condition nor is it particularly suitable for use with wheel-nut spiders.

GB Patent No 999,570 discloses a box spanner which has a tubular body provided with a socket and projecting arms over which may be fitted tubes to obtain greater leverage.

However, this device is not a tool which is convenient to use and store.

The present invention seeks to achieve a device by which one can achieve a higher torque when applied to wheel braces by spiders which is easy to stowe and which is readily put into a condition for use or storage and which further is provided by a single tool.

To this end, the invention provides a telescopic extension handle for use with a motor vehicle wheel nut spanner and comprises a sleeve and a coaxial bar axially slidable with respect to the sleeve from a retracted condition in which the bar is stowed predominantly within the sleeve to an extracted and operative condition in which the bar is withdrawn predominantly from one end of the sleeve whereby a limb of a cranked spanner or wheel nut spider can be received in the sleeve, an opposite end of the sleeve having means for cooperation with another limb of the spanner so that said other limb can be rotated about an axis normal to the sleeve upon rotation of the sleeve about the axis of said other limb. Preferably, the cooperating means comprises a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending axially from said opposite end of the sleeve.

According to a feature of the invention, one end of the sleeve may be provided with a stop through which said bar extends and which supports the bar in use and guides the bar during axial movement thereof relative to said sleeve.

According to another feature of the invention, one end of the bar retained within the sleeve may include means for cooperation with said stop to prevent detachment of the bar from said sleeve.

A telescopic extension handle embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the handle shown in a retracted condition; FIGURE 2 is a sectional view similar to Figure 1 but shown in an extended condition; FIGURE 3 is a plan view, in part section of the handle in extended condition applied to a wheel-nut spider; and FIGURE 4 is a side view in part section of the handle in extended condition applied to a wheel-nut spider.

Referring to the drawings, a telescopic extension handle 10 comprises a sleeve 12 and a coaxial bar 14 that is axially slidable in the sleeve to bring the bar into an extended and a retracted position relative to the sleeve.

One end 12a of the sleeve is adapted to cooperate with, for example, a cranked wheel-nut spanner or spider and to this end is formed with a pair of axially extending diametrically opposed slots 16 and 18. The slots are sized to receive a double ended cross limb of a wheel spider as described later.

At its opposite end the sleeve includes an insert stop 20 which has an axial through bore 22 in which the bar 14 is slidable. The bar is supported and guided by the insert stop and has one of its ends 14a preened over to provide flange which acts as a stop against the internal axial face 20a of the stop. Thus, the bar is not detachable from the sleeve. At its opposite end the sleeve carries covering 14b, for example, of a plastics material, to provide a handle portion by which the bar can be gripped.

When the handle is in its retracted condition, end 14a of the bar is disposed adjacent the open end 12a of the sleeve and the handle portion is disposed adjacent the insert stop. Thus, the handle is in a stowed position when not required for use.

In order to bring the handle into an operative condition, the bar 14 is retraced as shown in Figure 2 so that the sleeve, which was occupied by the retracted bar, can be occupied by a limb of cranked spanner or wheel-nut spider.

Figures 3 and 4 show the extension handle applied to a motor vehicle wheel-nut spider 24 having socket spanner limbs L1, L2, L3 and L4. Limb L1 is accommodated within the sleeve 12 so that the effective length of that limb is increased by the extension handle thereby to increase the torque which may be applied through limbs L3 or L4. The junction of limbs is disposed within the sleeve adjacent its open end 12a so that a portion of limb L2 is within the sleeve and limbs L3 and L4 pass through the slots 16 and 18 perpendicularly to the sleeve axis. The extension handle may also be used in conjunction with a spanner having one long limb which has a cranked nut engaging shorter limb. In use, the longer limb is received in the sleeve and the cranked shorter limb extends through one of the slots provided by the sleeve.

Claims

1. A telescopic extension handle for use with a motor vehicle wheel nut spanner comprises a sleeve and a coaxial bar axially slidable with respect to the sleeve from a retracted condition in which the bar is stowed predominantly within the sleeve to an extended and operative condition in which the bar is withdrawn predominantly from one end of the sleeve whereby a limb of a cranked spanner or wheel-nut spider can be received in the sleeve, an opposite end of the sleeve having means for cooperation with another limb of the spanner so that said other limb can be rotated about an axis normal to the sleeve upon rotation of the sleeve about the axis of said other limb.

2. A telescopic extension handle according to claim 1, wherein said cooperating means comprises a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending axially from said opposite end of the sleeve.

3. A telescopic extension handle according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said one end of the sleeve is provided with a stop through which said bar extends and which supports the bar in use and guides the bar during axial movement thereof relative to said sleeve.

4. A telescopic extension handle according to claim 3, wherein one end of the bar retained within the sleeve includes means for cooperation with said stop to prevent detachment of the bar from said sleeve.

5. A telescopic extension handle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.